Armed with brollies and wellies, thousands of Sussex people trudged through acres of glorious mud to give the Queen a rousing welcome.

In scenes reminiscent of the weekend's jubilee festivities, visitors to the South Of England Show gave the royal visitor a day she will never forget.

Dressed in a beige raincoat and blue and white wide-brimmed summer hat, Her Majesty came prepared for the muddy conditions and tramped round the rain-sodden park in knee-high leather boots.

She arrived in a horse-drawn carriage with the Duke of Edinburgh as schoolchildren waved Union Flags.

As the carriage entered the main arena, a resounding cheer went up from the crowd who began clapping, accompanied by the Royal Logistic Corps Band playing the National Anthem.

The Queen smiled and waved as she held a transparent umbrella over her head, sheltering from the light drizzle.

After being introduced to members of the South of England Agricultural Society, which organises the annual three-day show, she enjoyed a horse display.

Sheila Pringle, 49, and her two daughters, Julia 20 and Emma 16, from Colgate, near Horsham, were standing just yards away from the royal party.

She said: "I think it's wonderful. It's the first time I have seen her.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is never going to happen again.

"We were actually standing at the fence in front of her and it was fantastic.

"It was just magical being so close. It was so surreal.

"It is a marvellous show. It is always very good and it's so nice to have it back after foot-and-mouth.

"It was definitely missed."

Carola Godman Law, chairman of the agricultural society, spent much of the day escorting the Queen around the showground.

She said: "It is tremendous for the society. We were really proud to be able to host this regional visit.

"Having her here shows she supports farmers, the countryside and rural businesses.

"We kept her informed about the football the whole time she was here."

After the horse display, the Queen presented livestock championship awards and long-service honours to society staff.

Charles Ward, 67, received an award for his 50 years' service in forestry.

Mr Ward said: "It is the first time I have met the Queen. I was very pleased to see her as I have never seen her before and I didn't know what to expect."

The Queen later lunched in the Lindfield Suite where she and Prince Philip dined on British roast beef.

One man hoping to meet the Queen but did not get the chance was Colin Balaam.

Mr Balaam, who runs Memories in East Grinstead, a company which plates items with gold, silver or bronze, was hoping to present the Queen with a real rose plated in gold.

He said he had written to Buckingham Palace a few weeks before but officials had not been able to say whether he could hand over a rose.

Mr Balaam, 58, who was exhibiting at the show, said: "I think the event is absolutely fabulous. We would have loved to have given the Queen the rose."

The drizzly weather failed to dampen spirits on what was a very special day.